Communications interface and a communications method, a corresponding computer program, and a corresponding registration medium

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a communications interface for communications between participants, said interface including a virtual space (1) and graphical avatars (2, 3) that firstly represent respective ones of said participants and secondly are designed to move in said virtual space (1), said communications interface also including control means for controlling the movement of each graphical avatar, said communications interface being characterized in that it is designed to set up a discussion channel automatically between two of said participants when either the distance (d) between the two graphical avatars (2, 3) representing respective ones of said two participants is less than or equal to a predetermined first value (D1), or the distances between a graphical object and each of the two graphical avatars (2, 3) are less than or equal to a second predetermined value.Communications interfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/809,129, filed. Mar. 4, 2020, now allowed, a divisional of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/355,169, filed Jul. 18, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,620,777, issued Apr. 14, 2020, a § 371 national stage of POTinternational Application No. PCT/IB2011/003209, filed Nov. 3, 2011, thecontents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the general technical field ofcommunications interfaces enabling a plurality of users situated apartfrom one another to chat or to exchange data, preferably in real time,e.g. by means of networked terminals.

The present invention relates more particularly to a communicationsinterface for communications between participants having respectivescreens available to them, said interface including a virtual space andgraphical avatars that firstly represent respective ones of saidparticipants and secondly are designed to move in said virtual space,said virtual space and said graphical avatars being designed to bedisplayed on said screens, said communications interface also includingcontrol means enabling each of the participants to control the movementsof their respective graphical avatars.

The present invention also relates to a communications method forcommunications between participants having respective screens availableto them, in which method;

-   -   a virtual space and graphical avatars that represent respective        ones of said participants are displayed on said screens; and    -   each of the participants controls the movements of their        respective graphical avatars in said virtual space.

The invention also relates to a computer program including computerprogram code means adapted to execute the steps of a method as definedabove when said program is executed on a computer, and the inventionalso relates to a computer-readable medium on which such a program isrecorded.

PRIOR ART

There exist numerous solutions enabling people situated apart from oneanother to communicate via terminals (personal computers (PCs),smartphones, touchscreen tablets, etc.) connected to the Internet.

For example, there exists chat software that enables users to dialogueon-line by inputting the texts of their participations using thekeyboards or keypads of their terminals. Such chat software, which iswell known per se, also generally has an audio-video dialogue functionenabling the participants in a discussion to see and to hear theircorrespondents, with the webcam and the microphone equipping thecomputer of each of the participants capturing their images and pickingup their sound.

Although such chat software is generally satisfactory, it neverthelesssuffers from certain drawbacks.

Firstly, the interface procure by such software can appear unclear, withunsatisfactory legibility, in particular during group discussions. Inaddition, known chat software does not make it possible to start adiscussion in easy and impromptu manner, in particular with unknownattendees. Finally, such software is based on a technology that requiresa program to be installed in each client terminal, which is source ofcomplications. Known chat software does not therefore constitute acommunications interface that is fully satisfactory, in particular fororganizing group discussions easily.

There also exists videoconference software that enables remote users tobe put into audiovisual communication, via their computers, with one ormore correspondents. However, known videoconference software isgenerally relatively complex to grasp, relatively expensive to use(group videoconferencing generally being a pay service), and does notmake it possible to start an audio-video discussion in simple andimpromptu manner, in particular a hitherto unknown attendee. Inaddition, such videoconference software generally needs to be installedon the client terminals, in the same way as chat software does.

Currently known chat and videoconference software is not veryuser-friendly or intuitive, and, in particular, it does not facilitateunplanned contacts with new people.

Social networks deployed over the Internet are also known. However, suchsocial networks do not make it possible to have group discussions ineasy and simple manner, or to start a discussion in improvised mannerwith a member of the network who has not previously and duly beenregistered in a list of contacts or “friends”. In addition, such socialnetwork interfaces do not make it possible to organize videoconferencesin simple manner, or to organize virtual events in simple and Intuitivemanner.

Finally, three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds are also known, suchworlds being implemented both for games and for social networks, andenabling users connected to the Internet to browse a realistic virtualenvironment via avatars, each embodying a respective user. The softwarethat implements such virtual worlds enables users to dialogue with oneanother in conventional chat manner (dialogues input on the keyboard orkeypad) via their avatars. Such 3D virtual worlds are quite appealingbecause they propose a very realistic environment, but they generallyrequire a long learning time (often longer than three hours) so thatthey are suitable only for initiated users. In addition, such softwaredoes not make it possible to share content (files and other content) andusing them is more like network gaming rather than using a simple andintuitive communications interface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objects assigned to the invention are therefore to remedy theabove-mentioned drawbacks, and to propose a novel communicationsinterface that is very user-friendly and intuitive, easy to learn to usewithout any particular skills being required, and that makes itpossible, in particular, to implement group discussions extremelylegibly and dynamically, while also facilitating impromptu exchangeswith unknown attendees as well as discussions about topics of commoninterest.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel communicationsinterface that enables each of its users to have a View of discussiongroups that is extremely clear, dynamic, and intuitive.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel communicationsinterface that is very easy to use and that consumes little memory andlithe computing power.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel communicationsinterface that makes it possible to chat both via text-based chat meansand via videoconferencing means in simultaneous and very simple manner,regardless of the number of attendees.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel communicationsinterface that makes it possible to create discussion groups veryquickly, simply, and intuitively.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel communicationsinterface that improves what social networks can offer and howuser-friendly they are.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel communicationsinterface that makes it possible to organize virtual events in verysimple and intuitive manner.

Another object of the invention is to propose a novel communicationsmethod, a novel computer program adapted to execute the steps of such amethod, and a novel medium suitable for being computer-read and on whichsuch a program is recorded, that make it possible to achieve the variousabove-mentioned advantages.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of acommunications interface for communications between participants havingrespective screens available to them, said interface including a virtualspace and graphical avatars that firstly represent respective ones ofsaid participants and secondly are designed to move in said virtualspace, said virtual space and said graphical avatars being designed tobe displayed on said screens, said communications interface alsoincluding control means enabling each of the participants to control themovements of their respective graphical avatars, said communicationsinterface being characterized in that it is designed to set up adiscussion channel automatically between two of said participants wheneither the distance between the two graphical avatars representingrespective ones of said two participants is less than or equal to apredetermined first value, or the distances between a graphical objectpositioned in said virtual space and secondly each of the two graphicalavatars representing respective ones of said two participants are lessthan or equal to a second predetermined value, setting up saiddiscussion channel enabling said two participants to converse with eachother.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of acommunications method for communications between participants havingrespective screens available to them, in which method:

-   -   a virtual space and graphical avatars that represent respective        ones of said participants are displayed on said screens; and    -   each of the participants controls the movements of respective        graphical avatars in said virtual space;        said communications method being characterized in that a        discussion channel is set up automatically between two of said        participants when either the distance between the two graphical        avatars representing respective ones of said two participants is        less than or equal to a first predetermined value, or the        distances between a graphical object positioned in said virtual        space and each of the two graphical avatars representing        respective ones of said two participants are less than or equal        to a second predetermined value; setting up said discussion        channel enabling said two participants to converse with each        other.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of acomputer program including computer program code means adapted toexecute the steps of the above-defined method.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of acomputer readable medium on which a program as defined above isrecorded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention appear in more detail onreading the following description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings that are given merely by way of non-limiting illustration, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a portion of a screenshot of a participant's screen, showingthe graphical avatar of the participant in question and anothergraphical avatar representing another participant, said graphicalavatars being separated by a distance greater than the above-mentionedfirst predetermined value;

FIG. 2 is the same screenshot portion as shown in FIG. 1 except that thetwo avatars in question are separated by a distance that is less than orequal to the first predetermined value, so that a communications channelis set up between them;

FIG. 3 shows the same screenshot portion as shown in FIG. 2 except thata chat window is displayed on one of the avatars in order to enable thecorresponding participant to input text with a view to starting adiscussion with other avatars;

FIG. 4 is a screenshot showing a discussion group formed of sevenparticipants who can participate simultaneously in the same groupdiscussion;

FIGS. 5 to 7 diagrammatically show how discussion groups are formed as afunction of the relative position of the avatars that are present;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the principle underlyingimplementation of an audio-video connection between variousparticipants;

FIG. 9 is a screenshot showing a discussion group involving fourparticipants, the discussion taking place both via an audio-videochannel and via text-based chat windows;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing avatars gathered around a graphicobject corresponding to a game of tennis;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing avatars gathered around a windowdisplaying a televised football match; and

FIG. 12 is a screenshot portion showing a discussion group formed offour avatars, graphic object formed of a window displaying a radiostation logo and broadcasting the programs of the station in question,and a window displaying, in real time, all of the chat exchanges betweenthe members of the discussion group.

BEST MANNER OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a communications interfacebetween participants having respective screens available to them. Thescreen in question may, for example, be a PC monitor, a graphics tabletpad, a telephone or smartphone screen, or indeed a television setscreen. Preferably, each of the screens of said participants acts as adisplay peripheral and is functionally connected to a central processingunit (CPU) including, for example, at least one processor and memories(Random Access Memory(ies) (RAM(s)), Read-Only Memory(ies) (ROM(s)),etc.). Each participant's screen may be either an output peripheral thatperforms a display function only (as applies when the screen in questionis a conventional computer monitor or TV screen), or an input/outputperipheral (as applies when the screen in question is a touchscreenimplemented, for example. In a graphics tablet or in a smartphone). Whenthe screen is an output peripheral only, the participant in questionalso preferably has input peripherals (e.g.: keyboard/keypad, mouse,scroll wheels, etc.). Each screen preferably makes it possible todisplay in color and advantageously constitutes the peripheral of a CPU(be it a CPU of a computer, of a graphics tablet, of a smartphone, or ofsome other item of equipment) connected to a telecommunications networkthat is preferably the Internet, Each participant's screen isadvantageously part of the communications interface of the invention.

As shown in the figures, the communications interface of the inventionalso includes a virtual space 1 designed to be displayed on each of theparticipants' screens, preferably simultaneously. Preferably, in orderto make the interface particularly simple and legible, the virtual space1 is two-dimensional (2D), and is thus advantageously in the form of asurface extending in only two spatial directions (the horizontaldirection X and the vertical direction Y) so as to be included in asingle plane that is advantageously the display plane of eachparticipant's screen. In the description below, for reasons ofsimplicity and of conciseness, reference is made to a two-dimensionalvirtual space only, it being understood that it is quite possible forsaid virtual space 1 to be three-dimensional, or even one-dimensional.

The communications interface of the invention also includes graphicalavatars (designated in the figures by references 2 to 11) that firstlyrepresent respective ones of said participants and that secondly aredesigned to move in said virtual space 1. Like the virtual space 1, thegraphical avatars 2-11 are also designed to be displayed on therespective screens available to the participants, so that theparticipants can see, on their screens and at the same time, the virtualspace 1 and the graphical avatars 2-11, which are positioned and canmove on the surface of the two-dimensional virtual space 1, as shown inthe figures. The term “graphical avatar” is used herein to designate avirtual object that visually embodies the corresponding participant inthe virtual space 1. The two-dimensional virtual space 1 thusadvantageously constitutes a background or screen wallpaper, on whichthe graphical avatars 2-11 move. Preferably, said graphical avatars 2-11are two-dimensional as shown in the figures. In other words, eachgraphical avatar 2-11 advantageously extends exclusively in a singleplane that is common to all of the graphical avatars, said plane beingparallel to the plane in which the two-dimensional virtual space 1extends. In the accompanying figures, the plane in question correspondsto the plane of each sheet of drawings. Thus, the graphical avatars 2-11are superposed on the two-dimensional virtual space 1 in such a manneras to move in a plane parallel to the plane in which the two-dimensionalvirtual space 1 extends.

This use of a virtual space 1 and of graphical avatars 2-11 that are alltwo-dimensional is preferred because it imparts simplicity of use andexcellent user-friendliness to the communications interface. However, itis quite possible for the graphical avatars 2-11 to be three-dimensionalrather than two-dimensional (which does not preclude them moving in atwo-dimensional virtual space 1). The Invention thus covers any type ofvisual rendering (2D, 2.5D, 3D, isometric 3D, etc.).

Said communications interface also includes control moans enabling eachof the participants to control the movements of their respective avatars2-11. In other words, each of the participants has control meansenabling them to move their own avatars 2-11 over the screen incontrolled manner. The control means in question may, for example, beconstituted by an input peripheral such as a mouse or a touchscreen (thetouchscreen then acts both as screen and as control means in the meaningof the invention). Using the control means in question, each of theparticipants can thus cause the positions of their respective avatars tovary in the two-dimensional virtual space 1, e.g. so as to move towardsor away from another avatar or group of avatars. The communicationsinterface of the invention is thus advantageously a graphical userinterface (GUI). It also appears from the above that the interface ofthe invention is advantageously a direct manipulation interface, i.e. aninterface that, in particular, enables its users to manipulate (via amouse or via a touchscreen, for example) graphical objects (theirrespective avatars in this example) directly in the same way as theywould manipulate physical objects in the real world. The advantage ofusing a direct manipulation interface lies, in particular. In theIntuitive nature of such an interface, enabling each of the participantsusing the interface to visualize in real time the results of their ownactions, and, for example, the results of actions for controlling themovements of their avatars. Preferably, the control means are designedto enable users to move their graphical avatars by dragging and droppingthem. The participants can thus point to their respective graphicalavatars as displayed on the screens (either directly using a finger fora touchscreen, or else using a mouse pointer, for example), and thendrag their avatars towards respective chosen new positions, into whichusers drop their avatars (by not touching the screen when the screen isa touchscreen, or by ceasing to press the left buttons of the mouse, forexample).

In accordance with the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , thecommunications interface is designed to set up a discussion channelautomatically between two of said participants who are using theinterface when the distance d between the two graphical avatars 2, 3respectively representing those two participants is less than or equalto a first predetermined value D1.

In accordance with the invention, and as shown in particular by FIGS. 10to 12 , the communications interface is also designed to set up adiscussion channel automatically between two of said participants whenthe distances d′ between a graphical object 12, 13, 14 positioned insaid two-dimensional virtual space 1 and each of the two graphicalavatars 2, 3 respectively representing said two participants are lessthan or equal to a second predetermined value D2. In this secondpossibility, a discussion channel is thus set up by the interfacewhenever both of the following conditions are satisfied:

-   -   the distance d′ between the graphical object 12, 13, 14 and one        of the two graphical avatars 2 in question is less than or equal        to the second predetermined value D2; and    -   the distance d′ between the other graphical avatar 3 in question        and the graphical object 12, 13, 14 is also less than or equal        to the second predetermined value D2.

When both of these conditions are satisfied, it is thus possible for acommunications channel to be set up automatically between the twographical avatars 2, 3 in question, thereby enabling the twoparticipants represented by the graphical avatars 2, 3 in question toconverse with each other.

The communications interface of the invention is thus designed to set upa discussion channel automatically between two participants using theinterface in question when one and/or the other of the following twosituations A and B occurs:

-   -   A) the distance d between the two graphical avatars 2, 3        respectively representing said two participants is less than or        equal to the first predetermined value D1; and    -   B) the distances d′ between the graphical object 12, 13, 14        positioned in two-dimensional space 1 and each of the two        graphical avatars 2, 3 respectively representing said two        participants are less than or equal to the second predetermined        value D2;    -   said discussion channel being set up enabling said two        participants to converse with each other by any known means        (chat means, video-conference means, etc.). Preferably, the        first and second predetermined values D1, D2 are substantially        equal.

Thus, whenever two avatars 2, 3 are either close enough together(situation A), or close enough to a specific graphical object 12, 13, 14(situation B), the communications interface reacts to this specificrelative positioning by setting up a communications channel (which is atelecommunications channel in this example) between the two participantsrepresented by the avatars 2, 3 in question, in such a manner as toenable them to hold a conversation without themselves needing toactivate the communications channel in question. The communicationsinterface of the invention thus enables two graphical avatars 2, 3 to beinterconnected automatically and preferably immediately whenever theyare separated by a distance d less than or equal to the firstpredetermined value D1. This interconnection of the avatars in question(which interconnection may be visible on the screen, as explained inmore detail below) enables the participants represented by respectiveones of the avatars 2, 3 in question to converse in real time throughtheir avatars. The term “discussion channel” is used herein to designateany system interconnecting the participants so as to enable them todialogue in real time, be it by texting, by telephoning, or byvideo-conferencing. The discussion channel is thus a conversationchannel that makes it possible for at least two participants to converseremotely.

In the situation B, the graphical object 2, 13, 14 may, for example, beconstituted by a simple graphical element that is inactive and inert,and that merely acts as a geographical visual marker forming a rallyingpoint for the participants. By gathering around the rallying point inquestion, the participants can thus automatically be put intocommunication with one another via the network to which their terminalsthat include the screens are connected. However, it is possible, as inthe variants shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 , for the graphical object toinclude and preferably to constitute an active window 12, 13, 14 that,for example, displays the elements of a game (such as the game of tennisshown in FIG. 10 ) preferably controlled by one or more participants whohave their graphical avatars at distances d′ from the graphical object12, 13, 14 that are less than the second predetermined value D2. Inanother possibility, shown in FIG. 11 , the graphical object in questionmay include and preferably constitute a window that is broadcasting anaudiovisual or television content (a televised football match in thisexample).

The participants who have their graphical avatars 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 closeenough to the graphical object 13 can then chat among themselves andthus comment on the content coming from the window of the graphicalobject 13.

In the example shown in FIG. 12 , the graphical object 14 includes awindow showing the logo of an on-line radio station (Internet radio)that is broadcasting a content that can be commented on and discussedlive by the participants who have their avatars 2, 3, 5 close enough tothe graphical object 14 in question.

Advantageously, the graphical object 12, 13, 14 isactivatable/deactivatable, and is designed to be activated when thedistance d′ between a graphical avatar and said predetermined graphicalobject 12, 13, 14 is less than or equal to said second predeterminedvalue D2, activation of said predetermined graphical object 12, 13, 14advantageously making interaction possible between the participantrepresented by the graphical avatar in question and said graphicalobject 12, 13, 14. Activation of the graphical object 12, 13, 14 may,for example, correspond merely to a change of appearance in said object(change of color, change of size, etc.) or, preferably, to the start ofa more complex process such as starting a game controlled by thegraphical avatars in question (game of tennis in the variant shown inFIG. 10 ), or such as access to broadcasting of an audiovisual content,for participants with their graphical avatars close enough to thegraphical object 13, this broadcasting ceasing automatically wheneverparticipants move their graphical avatars away from the graphical object13 to distances d′ greater than the second predetermined value D2. Inthis particularly advantageous example, the participant of a givengraphical avatar perceives the audiovisual content broadcast (or merelyaudio content broadcast in the variant shown in FIG. 12 ) only when saidparticipant moves his/her avatar close enough to the graphical object13, 14 in question. Whenever the participant represented by the avatarin question moves said avatar away from said graphical object, thebroadcast ceases for the said participant (the other participants whohave their avatars close enough to the graphical object 13, 14 stillhaving access to the content being broadcast).

Advantageously, each communications channel set up automatically by theinterface between two avatars that find themselves in at least one ofthe above-mentioned two situations A and B includes communicationswindows (referenced 15 to 24 in the accompanying figures) that areassociated visually with the two graphical avatars in question, saidcommunications windows 15-24 being designed to display, for example, atext and/or an image that is optionally animated, in order to enablediscussion to take place between the participants represented by thegraphical avatars in question.

Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 2 , a window 15 pops up and isdisplayed in the manner of a comic-strip speech bubble. The window 15 inFIG. 2 contains a text that has been written and input (e.g. on akeyboard or keypad) by the participant represented by the graphicalavatar 3 to which the communications window 15 points. The participantembodied virtually by the graphical avatar 2 thus sees thecommunications window 15 pop up on the screen and can read the text thathas been sent to him/her by the participant embodied virtually by thegraphical avatar 3. The participants represented by the other Graphicalavatars and who do not have any communications channel set up with theparticipant represented by the graphical avatar 3 do not see thecommunications window 15 pop up. It is thus possible for theparticipants of the avatars 2, 3 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 to chat with eachother, by inputting the texts of their participations by means of akeyboard or keypad, for example.

The principle consisting in causing the text of a message sent by agiven participant to appear in a window 15 of the comic-strip speechbubble type enables the other participants to identify the sender of themessage extremely rapidly and intuitively, without any risk of error ingroup conversations. A message can be sent to a given attendee in thefollowing manner. Once the discussion channel has been set upautomatically by the interface, it is possible for a given participant,embodied, for example, in FIG. 3 , by the graphical avatar 2, to typethe text of the message on and in the graphical avatar 3 of the otherparticipant with whom the given participant wishes to dialogue. It thussuffices for the participant embodied by the graphical avatar 2 to clickon and in the graphical avatar 3 in order to cause a communicationswindow 16 to open within the graphical avatar 3, into which window theparticipant embodied by the graphical avatar 2 can type a messagedirectly. When the message is confirmed, e.g. conventionally by pressingthe “enter” key of a computer keyboard, the message in question appearsimmediately in the form of a speech bubble that points towards thegraphical avatar 2 of the sender of the message, the speech bubble andthe message in question preferably being visible only by the participantembodied by the graphical avatar 3. A genuine dialogue of the chat typecan thus be established between the two participants, this dialoguebeing extremely natural and simple to control.

The communications interface of the invention thus makes it very easy tostart an impromptu conversation with an attendee because it suffices forthe given participant to move their own avatar dose enough to the avatarof another participant in order to set up a discussion channelautomatically between them.

It is also possible, and this constitutes a particularly advantageousfunction of the interface of the invention, for a participant using theinterface to send the same message simultaneously to all of theparticipants with whom discussion channels have been set upautomatically. The participant in question, embodied, for example, bythe graphical avatar 2 in FIGS. 1 to 3 , may, for example, type amessage directly in their own avatar 2. To this end, the participant inquestion may, for example, click on the graphical avatar 2 (by using amouse, or a finger when the screen is a touchscreen), thereby causing aninput window to appear in said graphical avatar 2, into which window theparticipant types a message on the keyboard or keypad and confirms it,e.g. by pressing on the “enter” key. The message is then sentsimultaneously to all of the participants with whom the interface hasset up discussion channels automatically, i.e. all of the participantswho have their respective graphical avatars in one and/or the other ofthe above-mentioned positioning situations A and B. In addition, thisconstitutes a particularly advantageous potential feature of theinvention because it makes it particularly simple to create a discussiongroup around a given participant. It is also quite possible for thecommunications channel, as set up when one and/or the other of theabove-mentioned avatar positioning situations A and B is present, toallow only group messages to be sent. Advantageously, it is alsopossible, even in the absence of the above-mentioned positioningsituations A and/or B, for each participant to engage anotherparticipant directly by selecting, on the screen (e.g. by a mouse click)the graphical avatar of the other participant in question so as to causea writing text field (of the same type as the communications window 16)to appear that makes it possible to send an individual message to thatparticipant regardless of the positioning of the graphical avatars inquestion. Thus, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, thediscussion channel automatically set up by the communications interfacein one and/or the other of said situations A and B consists of a channelthat enables the user to input a message that is simultaneously sentsimultaneously to all of the participants who have their respectivegraphical avatars in one and/or the other of the situations A and B inquestion, and is readable by all of them.

In order to enable the participants to have an overall view of theconversations, it is also possible for a history window 26 to pop up inthe vicinity of the graphical avatars 2, 3, 4, 5 in question (cf. FIG.12 ), this window 26 displaying in chronological order all of theparticipations sent by the members of a discussion group.

The use of a chat-type system by way of a discussion channel isnaturally not absolutely essential. For example, it is possible, asshown, in particular in FIGS. 9 and 12 , for the discussion channels setup automatically by the interface as a function of the positioning ofthe graphical avatars in question to set up video or audio-videocommunications between the participants of the avatars in question, asshown in FIG. 9 . Occurrence of one and/or the other of theabove-mentioned situations A and B then advantageously makes it possibleautomatically to cause a video window to pop up in the graphical avatar2, 3, 4, 5 of each participant in question, which window shows, for theattention of the participants in the discussion group, the real-timeimage of the participant embodied by a given graphical avatar.Naturally, this assumes that each participant is equipped with videocamera means of the webcam type or of some other type. Automatic settingup of a discussion channel between any two participants then amounts toautomatically activating the playing of the images collected by thecamera means available to the participants in question in respectivewindows associated with their graphical avatars 2, 3, 4, 5. As shown inFIG. 9 , each such window preferably occupies the entire avatar inquestion, so that each avatar is then formed directly by a video displaywindow.

Advantageously, the communications interface of the invention is alsodesigned to set up a discussion channel automatically between first andsecond ones of said participants when the respective distances d betweeneach of the two graphical avatars 2, 8 (cf. FIG. 4 ) representingrespective ones of said first and second participants and a third othergraphical avatar 7 representing a third other participant are less thanor equal to said first predetermined value D1, the setting up of saiddiscussion channel enabling said first and second participants toconverse with each other. By means of this feature, it is possible forthe communications interface to set up discussion chains made up ofparticipants who have their respective graphical avatars constitutingthe links of a common graphical chain, each avatar being separated fromeach of its two closest neighbors by a distance that does not exceed thepredetermined value D1.

Even more preferably, the communications interface is also designed toset up discussion channels automatically between all of the participantswho are represented by respective graphical avatars that belong to agroup of avatars 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (cf, FIG. 4 ), in which each memberof the group in question is distant from at least one other member by adistance d less than or equal to said first predetermined value D1. Bymeans of this particularly advantageous characteristic, the interfacemakes it possible to create clusters of avatars such as the clustershown in FIG. 4 , it being possible for each member of a cluster tocommunicate with all of the other members of the cluster, insofar asdiscussion channels are automatically set up by the interface betweenall of the members of a given cluster. It is thus extremely easy andintuitive to create discussion groups of limited size by clusteringavatars in a manner such that each avatar is separated from at least oneother avatar (and possibly more than only one other avatar) by adistance d less than or equal to the predetermined value D1, thisclustering triggering setting up of generalized communications wherebyall of the avatars making up the group in question are put intocommunication with one another. It is thus possible, for a participantembodied by an avatar that belongs to such a discussion group (e.g. thegraphical avatar 4 in FIG. 4 ), to type a message in their own avatar,which message is immediately and simultaneously broadcast to all of theother avatars 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 in the group, in compliance with theabove-described communications protocol.

It is naturally also possible, within such a discussion group, toconverse with oily some of the participants by clicking on theirrespective avatars as explained above.

By means of this particularly advantageous variant of the communicationsinterface of the invention, it is possible to obtain a discussion groupin fast, intuitive and user-friendly manner, merely by clusteringgraphical avatars 2-8 virtually embodying the attendees of thediscussion group in question. This clustering, that consists in makingprovision for each graphical avatar to be separated from at least oneother adjacent graphical avatar by a distance less than or equal to thevalue D1, makes it possible for all of the participants represented bythe avatars 2-8 clustered in this way to be put into immediate andsimultaneous communication, via their respective avatars.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show various situations in which discussion groups areformed. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 5 , a first discussion groupis formed by the graphical avatars 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. The graphicalavatars 9, 10, 11 do not belong to this discussion group insofar as theyare too far away from the closest graphical avatar 2 (i.e. distant bydistances greater than the first predetermined value D1). In the exampleof FIG. 6 , all of the avatars present in the image and referenced 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 belong to the same discussion group. Finally,in the example of FIG. 7 , a first discussion group is formed by thegraphical avatars 2, 9, 10, 11, while the other graphical avatars 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8 do not belong to this first group because they are distantfrom the closest graphical avatar 2 by distances greater than the firstpredetermined value D1.

As mentioned above, the communications interface of the inventionadvantageously makes it possible to combine videoconferencing and chatmeans, without having to use separate interfaces, Each participant maythus use all of the communications means (video, audio, and chat)simultaneously, in a group or in private. However, it can beadvantageous, as shown in FIG. 8 , to reserve the setting up of videocommunications channels between a given graphical avatar 2 and otheravatars to only those graphical avatars 3, 6 that are distant from saidgraphical avatar 2 by distances less than or equal to the firstpredetermined value D1. The other graphical avatars 4, 5, 7, 8 belongingto the same discussion group as the avatars 2, 3, 6 are then put intocommunication with the participant represented by the graphical avatar 2via communications channels of the chat type only.

Advantageously, as appears in particular from FIGS. 1 to 4 and 12 , eachgraphical avatar 2, 3, 4, 8 is surrounded continuously by acorresponding graphical margin 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, of width thatis equal to the first predetermined value D1. Said graphical margin 2A,3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A thus advantageously enables the participants tovisualize the first predetermined value D1, thereby making it easy todetermine, at a glance, whether either of the above-mentioned situationsA and B is occurring, or both of them. For example, in FIG. 1 , it canbe seen that the graphical avatar 3 is clearly situated outside thegraphical margin 2A, which means that the graphical avatars 2 and 3 aretoo far apart for a communications channel to be set up automaticallybetween them via the interface. Preferably, each graphical margin 2A,3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A. BA is in the form of a transparent or translucenthalo that surrounds the corresponding graphical avatar 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8. In the preferred configuration in which the graphical avatars 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are two-dimensional, each graphical margin is then alsotwo-dimensional and surrounds, preferably completely, the correspondinggraphical avatar in the same plane as the plane in which the avatar inquestion extends. Preferably, each graphical avatar 2-8 has a main bodythat is substantially disk-like, said body preferably being a disk, eachgraphical margin 2A-8A then being in the form of a circular ringsurrounding said main body concentrically, as shown in the figures.

Each graphical margin then advantageously extends between a circularinner edge 20A that is preferably superposed on or that coincides withthe outer edge of the main body of the avatar in question and a circularouter edge 200A; the inner edges 20A, 30A, 40A, 60A, 60A, 70A, 80A andthe outer edge 200A, 300A, 400A, 500A, 600A, 700A, 800A being separatedby a distance corresponding to the width of the graphical margin, whichdistance is thus equal to the first predetermined value D1.

Preferably, the graphical margin 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A of any givengraphical avatar 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 is visible only on the screenavailable to the participant embodied by that graphical avatar 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8. This function is shown, in particular, in FIG. 1 , FIG. 1 isa view of the screen available to the participant represented by thegraphical avatar 2. It appears from FIG. 1 that, on their screen, theparticipant in question sees only the graphical margin 2A that surroundstheir own avatar 2. Conversely, the graphical margin of the other avatar3 is not displayed on the screen available to the participant embodiedby the graphical avatar 2. Similarly, on the screen, the participantrepresented by the graphical avatar 3 sees the graphical margin 3Asurrounding their own avatar but does not see the graphical margin 2Asurrounding the graphical avatar 2. This makes it possible to facilitatethe legibility of the interface by avoiding drowning each participant inunnecessary information.

Advantageously, the appearance of each graphical margin 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A,6A, 7A, 8A varies as a function of the distance that separates eachgraphical avatar from another graphical avatar or from a graphicalobject 12, 13, 14. For example, the graphical margin 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A,7A, 8A may be substantially translucent or transparent so long as theavatar in question is separated from the other avatars by a distance dgreater than the first predetermined value D1 and from the graphicalobjects 12, 13, 14 by a distance d′ greater than the secondpredetermined value D2. Such a situation is visible, for example, inFIG. 1 , in which the graphical margin 2A is substantially transparent,except for its circular outer edge 200A that is represented by an opaquecircular line in order to visualize the outline of the graphical margin2A. The graphical margin 2A is designed, for example, to become opaquewhenever the graphical avatar 2 in question finds itself in one or theother of the above-mentioned situations A and B.

This can be seen, for example, in FIG. 2 , in which the graphical margin2A has become fully opaque and therefore masks the virtual space 1 thatlies behind it.

Preferably, the graphical margins 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A aredesigned so that, when they are partially superposed (i.e. when thedistance d between two graphical avatars 2, 3 is less than the firstpredetermined value D1, as shown in FIG. 2 ), they merge automaticallyin their partial superposition zone, in a manner such as to form onlyone single resulting graphical margin that encompasses all of thegraphical avatars 2, 3 in question, as shown in particular in FIGS. 2 to4 . This local merging of the margins in their overlap zone is visuallysimilar to a phenomenon of coalescence, i.e. of at least local mergingof the graphical margins 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A. Advantageously, thesingle graphical margin resulting from the merging of the graphicalmargins of graphical avatars belonging to the same discussion group isvisible by all of the users of the interface. It is thus possible, at aglance, to identify a discussion group immediately insofar as all of thegraphical avatars embodying the participants of the group in questionare encompassed in a single common graphical margin that is visible(e.g. of opaque white color as in the variant shown in FIG. 4 ). Thus,whenever two graphical avatars 2, 3 come closer to each other to withina distance d that is less than or equal to the first predetermined valueD1, their respective graphical margins 2A, 3A become visible, changeappearance (e.g. they go from a substantially transparent appearance toan opaque appearance), and they merge locally so as to form a singleresulting graphical margin that is visible to all of the participants.

In another aspect, the invention also provides a communications methodfor communications between participants having respective screensavailable to them, the method in question advantageously beingimplemented by means of the above-described communications interface andcorresponding to operation of the communications interface in question.

In the communications method of the invention, a virtual space andgraphical avatars 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 3, 9, 10, 11 that representrespective ones of said participants are displayed on said screens, eachof the participants controlling the movements of their respectivegraphical avatars in said virtual space 1, as explained above.Preferably, and for the reasons already mentioned above, the virtualspace 1 is two-dimensional.

In the method of the invention, a discussion channel is set upautomatically between two of said participants when:

-   -   either the distance d between the two graphical avatars 2-11        representing respective ones of said two participants is less        than or equal to a first predetermined value D1; or    -   the distances d′ between a graphical object 12, 13, 14        positioned in said virtual space 1 and each of the two graphical        avatars 2, 3 representing respective ones of said two        participants are less than or equal to a second predetermined        value D2;    -   setting up said discussion channel enabling said two        participants to converse with each other.

Advantageously, the communications method in question is a method inwhich a discussion channel is also set up automatically between firstand second ones of said participants when the distances d between eachof the two graphical avatars 2, 8 representing respective ones of saidfirst and second participants and a third graphical avatar 7representing a third other participant are less than or equal to saidfirst predetermined value D1, setting up said discussion channelenabling said first and second participants to converse with each other,as explained in detail above with reference to the communicationsinterface.

Even mere preferentially, discussion channels are advantageously set upautomatically between all of said participants who are represented byrespective graphical avatars 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 that belong to a groupof avatars, in which group each member is distant from at least oneother member by a distance d less than or equal to said firstpredetermined value D1, as explained in detail above in the descriptionof the communications interface.

Finally, the invention provides a computer program including computerprogram code means adapted to execute the steps of a method as describedabove when said program is executed on a computer or on equivalenthardware (smartphone, touchscreen tablet, etc.).

The invention also provides such a computer program as implemented on acomputer-readable medium on which such a program is recorded. The term“computer” should be understood as being used in its broadestacceptation and designates equally well a conventional personalcomputer, a smartphone, or a graphics tablet, for example.

It appears from the above that the invention makes it possible, inparticular, to make communications much easier between remoteparticipants interconnected via the Internet. In its preferred variant,one of the advantages of the invention lies, in particular, in thetwo-dimensional nature and the circular shape of the graphical avatars.The circle is an extremely elementary shape that is, in addition, adimensional extension of the point, or node of a network. Each graphicalavatar thus resembles a bubble with which notions of lightness,mobility, agility, etc. are generally associated. Each graphical avatarmay thus serve as a communications window (a video image may be playedwithin the graphical avatar, within which an input window for chat textmay also appear, as mentioned above). In addition, each graphical avatarmay be customized, e.g. along the following lines:

-   -   the communications capacities of the participant represented by        a given graphical avatar may be displayed on or around the        graphical avatar in question (signal indicating presence        on-line, signal indicating presence of a camera, of a        microphone, of a specific application, etc.);    -   the social connections of a given participant may be displayed        by their graphical avatar (membership of a social network,        curriculum vitae or “résumé”, Uniform Resource Locator (URL)        address of a personal website, personal profile, etc.); and    -   the used and contextual applications of a given participant may        also be displayed by an avatar (game and application being used:        poker, shared reading list, etc.).

Naturally, the communications interface may enable each participant tocustomize their avatar by changing the color, texture, or transparencythereof, by applying a “skin” to it, by adding a personal image or alogo, or indeed by adding video effects affecting the image from thewebcam of the participant in question.

As explained in detail above, the invention makes it possible, in apreferred variant, to have a clear vision of discussion groups that aredynamic and that enable any participant to join or to leave a groupeasily, and to talk in private or to an entire group without anycomplexity and with unparalleled user-friendliness, making it possible,if the need arises, to use a plurality of modes of communication (chat,video, audio, telephone, etc.) simultaneously, in a group or in private.

It is also possible, by means of the invention, to create virtual eventseasily. For this purpose, it suffices to place graphical objects 12, 13,14 corresponding to a given event in a virtual space 1. In general, thecommunications interface advantageously makes it possible to implementthe following principle: what each of the participants who have theirrespective graphical avatars moving in a given virtual space sees insaid virtual space is seen simultaneously by all of the otherparticipants who have their graphical avatars in the same place.

The communications interface may thus be implemented in the context of aplatform subdivided into a plurality of virtual spaces in which thegraphical avatars move between various interactive elements. Eachvirtual space (such as the space 1) may be created and managed by agroup or by a user who can define the style of the virtual space, theaccess authorizations therefor, and the contents thereof. A topic searchtool advantageously makes it possible to find the contents across all ofthe spaces or in the current space. On entering a given space,participants can advantageously find their way around by means of a mapof the contents and of the users who are sufficiently close to thelocation at which each participant is to be found.

By moving their graphical avatars in a given virtual space 1, web usersdiscover synchronized interactive contents therein in real time. Forexample, these elements may be links, photo galleries, synchronizedvideos, more specialist elements such as interactive games, liveaudiovisual contents, blog elements or other elements relating to socialnetworks. From this point of view, the platform in question, thatconstitutes one of the aspects of the invention, form a social networkas such, which advantageously makes it possible to detect the presenceof contacts (contacts encountered previously or social network friends)and their positions in the virtual space 1.

This network offers the advantage of being extremely simple and easy tograsp, and does not supplant existing social networks, because it canlimit itself merely to approving lists of contacts. Each of theparticipants may also create their own virtual spaces 1 in which otherparticipants can browse via their avatars. A mouse can be used to createthe virtual space by using preconceived interactive elements (readinglist, game, whiteboard, interactive map, blog element, newspaperarticle, radio or TV stream, etc.).

By means of the invention, professionals may create virtual spaces 1consisting of rooms for work, for conferences, for tuition, or forpresenting events, e.g. advertising events. The invention also makes itpossible to obtain very rapid group effects through instantaneousinterest about a common content (cf. the examples in FIGS. 10 to 12 ).It is thus possible to meet unknown users who are interested in the sametopics because they are encountered in a specific topic space. Inaddition, as explained above, the list of attendees taking part in aconversation is dynamic, since each avatar can chance group immediately,connect up to a group, or even separate two groups (see the examples ofFIGS. 5 to 7 ).

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention is susceptible of industrial application in design and useof communications interfaces.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a memory storinginstructions; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured bythe instructions to generate a communications interface which can beused simultaneously by remote participants each having a respectivedisplay screen, said interface including a two-dimensional virtual spaceand two-dimensional graphical avatars respectively associated with eachof said participants, each graphical avatar being movable in saidvirtual space, said virtual space and said graphical avatars beingdisplayed on said display screens, said communications interface alsoincluding a controller enabling each of the participants to control themovements of their respective graphical avatars within said virtualspace, wherein discussion channels are automatically set up between atleast two of said participants represented by two respective graphicalavatars, when said, two graphical avatars are close enough together toform a dynamic discussion group, setting up said discussion channelsenabling said participants to converse with each other, in real time, byaudio-video communication, wherein ail of the graphical avatars in saiddynamic discussion group are encompassed in a single common graphicalmargin that is visible to all participants and makes it possible toidentify said discussion group.
 2. A system according to claim 1 whereinsaid automatic setting up of discussion channels between saidparticipants involves automatically activating the playing of imagescollected by camera means available to the participants in question inrespective windows.
 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein eachgraphical avatar is of circular shape.
 4. A system according to claim 1,wherein graphical avatars are each, surrounded, by a respectivegraphical margin, the appearance of each graphical margin varying as afunction of the distance that separates each graphical avatar fromanother graphical avatar or from a graphical object.
 5. A systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said communication interface enables eachparticipant to engage another participant directly by selecting, on thescreen the graphical avatar of the other participant in question so asto cause a writing text field to appear that makes it possible to sendan individual message to that participant regardless of the positioningof the graphical avatars in question.
 6. A system comprising: a memorystoring instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory andconfigured by the instructions to generate a communications interfacewhich can be used simultaneously by remote participants each having arespective display screen, said interface including a two-dimensionalvirtual space and two-dimensional graphical avatars respectivelyassociated with each of said participants, each graphical avatar beingmovable in said virtual space, said virtual space and said graphicalavatars being displayed on said display screens, said communicationsinterface also including a controller enabling each of the participantsto control the movements of their respective graphical avatars withinsaid virtual space, wherein discussion channels are automatically set upbetween at least two of said participants represented by two respectivegraphical avatars, when said two graphical avatars are close enoughtogether to form a dynamic discussion group, setting up said discussionchannels enabling said participants to converse with each other, in realtime, by audio-video communication, wherein said communication interfaceenables each participant to engage another participant directly byselecting, on the screen the graphical avatar of the other participantin question so as to cause a writing text field to appear that makes itpossible to send an individual message to that participant regardless ofthe positioning of the graphical avatars in question.
 7. A systemaccording to claim 6 wherein said interface includes a history windowdisplaying the participations sent by the members of said discussiongroup.
 8. A system according to claim 6 wherein said automatic settingup of discussion channels between said participants involvesautomatically activating the playing of images collected by camera meansavailable to the participants in question in respective windows.
 9. Asystem according to claim 6, wherein all of the graphical avatars insaid dynamic discussion group are encompassed in a single commongraphical margin that is visible to all participants and makes itpossible to identify said discussion group.
 10. A system comprising: amemory storing instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory andconfigured by the instructions to generate a communications interfacewhich can be used simultaneously by remote participants each having arespective display screen, said interface including a two-dimensionalvirtual space and two-dimensional graphical avatars respectivelyassociated with each of said participants, each graphical avatar beingmovable in said virtual space, said virtual space and said graphicalavatars being displayed on said display screens, said communicationsinterface also including a controller enabling each of the participantsto control the movements of their respective graphical avatars withinsaid virtual space, wherein discussion channels are automatically set upbetween at least two of said, participants represented by two respectivegraphical avatars, when said two graphical avatars are close enoughtogether to form a dynamic discussion group, setting up said discussionchannels enabling said participants to converse with each other, in realtime, by audio-video communication, wherein said communicationsinterface displays on or around each graphical avatar the communicationscapacities of the participant represented by said graphical avatar. 11.A system according to claim 10 wherein said communications interfacedisplays said communications capacities in the form of a signalindicating at least one of the following (a) to (c): (a) presenceon-line, (b) presence of a camera, (c) presence of a microphone.
 12. Asystem according to claim 10 wherein all of the graphical avatars insaid dynamic discussion group are encompassed in a single commongraphical margin that is visible to all participants and makes itpossible to identify said discussion group.
 13. A system according toclaim 10 wherein said communication interface enables each participantto engage another participant directly by selecting, on the screen thegraphical avatar of the other participant in question so as to cause awriting text field to appear that make possible to send an individualmessage to that participant regardless of the positioning of thegraphical avatars in question.
 14. A system comprising: a memory storinginstructions; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured bythe instructions to generate a communications interface which can beused simultaneously by remote participants each having a respectivedisplay screen, said interface including a two-dimensional virtual spaceand two-dimensional graphical avatars respectively associated with eachof said participants, each graphical avatar being movable in saidvirtual space, said virtual space and said graphical avatars beingdisplayed on said display screens, said communications interface alsoincluding a controller enabling each of the participants to control themovements of their respective graphical avatars within said virtualspace, wherein discussion channels are automatically set up between atleast two of said participants represented by two respective graphicalavatars, when said two graphical avatars are close enough together toform a dynamic discussion group, setting up said discussion channelsenabling said participants to converse with each other, in real time, byaudio-video communication, with a video window automatically popping upin the graphical avatar of each participant in question.
 15. A systemaccording to claim 14 wherein each graphical avatar is of circularshape.
 16. A system according to claim 14 wherein said video windowoccupies the entire graphical avatar in question, so that each graphicalavatar is formed by a respective video display window.
 17. A systemaccording to claim 16, wherein each graphical avatar is of circularshape.
 18. A system according to claim 14 wherein said communicationsinterface displays or on around each graphical avatar the communicationscapacities of the participant represented by said graphical avatar,and/or said communications interface enables each participant tocustomize their avatar by adding a personal image or a logo to it.
 19. Asystem according to claim 14 wherein said communications interfaceenables each of said participants to input a text and causes said textto appear in a window that pops up and points to the graphical avatar ofthe participant who input said text.
 20. A system according to claim 14wherein said communications interface includes at least one windowbroadcasting an audiovisual content or an audio content, eachparticipant perceiving the audiovisual content broadcast or audiocontent broadcast only when said participant moves his/her avatar closeenough to said broadcasting window.